Inch By Inch, Split By Split

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (5/08/13)—Concordia inched one step closer to securing its first playoff berth since 2010 by beating Hamline 3-1 in the second game to gain a split in the key conference doubleheader played inside the Metrodome. The Cobbers dropped the opener 5-0 and needed a victory in game 2 to keep control of their destiny for the upcoming MIAC playoffs.

Concordia has now split its last four league twinbills and will only need a split in its last doubleheader against St. Mary's on Thursday to clinch a spot in the MIAC playoffs which start on Friday. The Cobbers are 9-9 in conference play and in a five-way tie for fourth place in the league standings. A single win against the Cardinals would ensure a final league record at the .500 mark and, that coupled with sweeps over fellow .500 teams St. John's and Gustavus, would give CC the playoff-clinching edge in the first tie-breaker criteria. The Cobbers are now 16-14 in all games.

Concordia's offense against the Pipers consisted of a single inning. After being blanked in the first game, the Cobbers scored three runs in the first frame of the nightcap and watched as pitchers Cody Rahman and Bryce Feia made the trio hold up.

Rahman was forced into his first collegiate start due to the team's grueling schedule in the final week of the regular season and responded by throwing 3.2 innings and allowing only two hits and one earned run. He wasn't credited with win but his outstanding outing set the stage for Feia to shut the door in the final 3.1 innings. Feia entered in the fourth inning with two outs and runners on first and third. He proceeded to get a strike out to end the fourth and then retired nine of the final 10 batters he faced. Feia earned his second win of the year by allowing a single hit and striking out four.

The decisive three runs were scored on four hits in the first. Braden Rahman singled home CC leadoff hitter Kyle Kraemer to open the scoring. Michael Olson then singled home Phil Kuball before Rahman scored on a fielder's choice.

The Cobbers had six total hits in the finale. Kuball was the only player from either team with more than one hit. He went 2-for-3 in the second game and was 4-for-6 for the doubleheader. He upped his season batting average to .283.

Concordia had one more hit in the first game (7) but went 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position and was hitless in two tries with the bases loaded.

Kraemer was 2-for-4 in the opener while Braden Rahman was 1-for-2 and had a pair of walks.

The outing by Cobber starting pitcher Shawn Krueger might go down as one of the keys for CC if they make the playoffs. While not getting the win, and giving up five runs, Krueger pitched a complete game and ate up seven innings to rest a bullpen that has grown weary due to the back-to-back-to-back doubleheader schedule.

Concordia will try to clinch the playoff berth on its home field when they host St. Mary's on Thursday, May 9 at 2 p.m.